Mexico secures a spot for Gold advancing two teams at La Paz semifinals

LA PAZ, Mexico, June 8, 2019. - Mexico secured a spot in Sunday’s gold medal match while moving two teams into semifinals winning the quarterfinal round at La Paz Beach Volleyball tournament, the fifth leg of the NORCECA Tour. 

Stephanie Burnside and Paulette Cruz was the first Mexican pair to reach the semifinals while overpowering Canada’s Iris Fletcher and Abbey Thorup in the quarterfinals 2-1 (21-16, 18-21, 18-16), with a tactical performance.

Burnside and Cruz will face countrywoman Diana Valdez and María José Quintero in semifinals. Valdez and Quintero, winner of pool C, downed the other registered Mexican team of Claudia Rios/Gloria Santoyo in quarterfinals by 2-0 (21-17, 21-13). This is Valdez and Quintero´s second semifinal of the year, they also advanced in Aguascalientes where they finished fourth place.

After winning pool A, Devon May and Darby Dunn of Canada faced Nicaraguan duo of Socorro Lopez and Lolette Rodríguez in quarterfinals with a solid 2-0 (21-16, 21-11) victory to advance into the semifinals.

Also making the top four, Devon Newberry and Peri Brennan of United States won their ticket to semifinals beating Melanie Valenciana and Cristina Almeida-Anz of U.S Virgin Islands in quarterfinals 2-0 (21-12, 21-7). Newberry and Brennan topped pool B.

Sunday’s semifinals feature Stephanie Burnside/Paulette Cruz (MEX-B) v Diana Valdez and María José Quintero (MEX-A); Devon May and Darby Dunn (CAN-A) v Devon Newberry and Peri Brennan (USA).

Women’s Results Saturday:

Quarterfinals:  CAN-A d NCA 2-0 (21-16, 21-11); USA d ISV 2-0 (21-12, 21-7); MEX-B d CAN-B 2-1 (21-16, 18-21, 18-16); MEX-A d MEX-C 2-0 (21-17, 21-13) Pool-Play: Pool A: CAN-A d ESA 2-0 (21-18, 21-15); Pool B: MEX-B d NCA 2-0 (21-10, 21-18); Pool C: MEX-A d ISV 2-0 (21-10, 21-10); CAN-B d CAY 2-0 (21-18, 21-10).